Laborers' Pension Fund v. Alpine Asphalt Paving

June 17, 2008

LABORERS' PENSION FUND AND LABORERS' WELFARE FUND OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CHICAGO AND VICINITY, AND JAMES S. JORGENSEN, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FUNDS, PLAINTIFFS,v.ALPINE ASPHALT PAVING, INC., DEFENDANT.

The opinion of the court was delivered by: Judge Shadur

PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO REINSTATE AND FOR DAMAGES CONSISTENT WITH THE PARTIES' SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Plaintiffs, the Laborers Pension Fund and Laborers' Welfare Fund of the Health and Welfare Department of the Construction and General Laborers' District Council of Chicago and Vicinity (the "Laborers' Funds"), request that this Court reinstate this cause and enter judgment in a sum certain against defendant Alpine Asphalt Paving, Inc. ("Alpine") in the total amount of $31,467.57. In support of this motion, plaintiffs state as follows:

1. On August 8, 2007, this cause of action was filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§1143 and 1132(g)(2) and under the Labor management Relations Act ("LMRA"), as amended, 29 U.S.C. §185(a) seeking unpaid contributions owed to the Laborers' Funds. On December 19, 2007, this Court dismissed this cause retaining jurisdiction to enter judgment under the Settlement Agreement. A copy of the Order to Dismiss is attached as Exhibit 1.

2. On December 18, 2007, Alpine, by its President Roger Groanson signed a Settlement Agreement and Release permitting the plaintiffs to reinstate this cause if necessary in the event of default. The Settlement Agreement and Release, attached here to as Exhibit 2, provides that upon default, the Funds may "declare the entire unpaid amounts due and accelerate collection of the total balance owed." (Exh. 2 ¶4.) It further provides that on motion and notice of motion to the Company's attorney, Todd Miller, the plaintiffs shall be entitled to entry of judgment. Notice of plaintiffs' motion has been served to defendant's counsel, Todd Miller.

3. The parties also agreed that upon default Roger Groanson shall be named as a defendant in the lawsuit, agreeing to waive filing of an amended complaint and service of summons. In addition, neither Alpine nor Roger Groanson are permitted to raise defenses in opposition to plaintiffs' motion. (Exhibit 1, ¶¶ 4,5).

4. There is no question that Alpine Asphalt is in default on the note. (See Settlement Agreement, Exhibit 2 ¶4). The Settlement Agreement provides for installment payments to be paid covering a delinquency of $39,049.77, for the period from April 1, 2004 through September 30, 2006 and July 2007 through October 2007. Rocco Marcello, the Funds' Field Representative assigned to collect contributions owed by Alpine, among others, establishes that installment note payments were not received for the months of April, May and June 2008 and the current balance owed under the Installment Note is $30,040.92. (Marcello Affidavit, Exhibit 3, ¶5).

5. In addition, liquidated damages and interest are due as shown by Mr. Marcello's affidavit, and as established by the Installment Note ¶9, Exhibit 2. The amount of $429.15 is due in penalties for the failure to submit timely note payments. (Exhibit 3).

6. The Settlement Agreement in paragraph 5 provides that attorneys' fees will be included in a judgment for the Funds' efforts to obtain compliance with this Settlement Agreement.

Reasonable attorneys' fees are established by an affidavit of Karen I. Engelhardt, plaintiffs' counsel, in the total amount of $997.50. (See, Affidavit of Karen I. Engelhardt, attached hereto as Exhibit Wherefore, plaintiffs drafted a proposed judgment order for a total judgment against Alpine Asphalt Paving, Inc., and Roger Groanson in the amount of $31,467.57. In addition Alpine is responsible to pay current contributions and obtain and maintain a surety bond.

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